Sell some taxable investments to generate the remainder of the money. That will entail capital gains tax.

Low debt is a good idea regardless of job security. However, low debt doesn't mean no debt. A mortgage on your house can be beneficial in many ways.

Credit card debt is a warning sign that you are not doing well. You never want to have credit card debt.

One-to-three-year car loans are OK. Car loans lasting four years or more indicate that you are buying a car that you cannot afford.

Later in the show, Federal Times senior writer Sean Reilly and I will talk about the prospects for another shutdown, what Congress may next do to federal workers and the state of the U.S. Postal Service.